Herman lauter



(No Model.)

H. LAUTER. DESK FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

Patented Aug. 6

2 awuewbo z U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN LAUTER, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

DESK FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,940, dated August ,6, 1895.

Application filed April 30, 1894. Serial No. 509,583- (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERMAN LAUTER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, county of Marion, and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Desks for Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in desks for type-writing machines, and consists essentially in a swinging case hinged to the desk proper in which the type-writing machine is inclosed, and which also incloses a supporting-table, whereon the type-writing machine rests or is secured, and which table is adaptedto be moved vertically within the said swinging case and to be adjusted vertically to suit the position of the operator.

The object of my invention is to provide a desk for type-writing machines that will have an unbroken -top leaf or writing-surface, whereon papers, books, or other material used by operators of writing-machines may be placed without having to be removed whenthat portion of the desk containing the typewriting machine has to be opened to put the said machine into operating position, and to provide means whereby the table for supporting the machine may be adjusted vertically in its inclosing-case and means for counterbalancing said table and retaining it in any fixed vertical position. I attain these objects by means of the arrangement of the desk illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which similar numbers of reference design ate like parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of an office writing-desk, showing the type-writing-machine case open and the writing-machine in position ready for operation. Fig. 2 is a detail side sectional elevation of the supportingtable of the writing-machine. Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of the supporting-frame and of the counterbalance cord-pulleys; and Fig. 4 is a detail transversesectional view of the supporting -table of the writingmachine, showing the means of counterbalancing the same and also the rack for supporting said table in any vertical position.

The desk proper is composed of the top leaf 1, the end drawer-case 2, having the drawers 3 arranged vertically therein, and the end compartment or type-writing-machine case 4,

both of said end cases being held rigidly to.

the leaf 1 and to each other by the distancebar 5, or they may be rigidly connected together by a back extending along the entire back end of the case.

The hinged case 6, which contains the table 7 whereon the machine 8 is supported, and wherein said table and machine are inclosed, is hinged to the edge of the outer side of the case or compartment 4 by the hinges 9. The inner side of the casing 4 is provided with a rectilinear opening formed at or near its top side, and is covered by the hinged door 10, which is held closed by its tension-spring 11, secured to' said door at one end and to the bottom of the leaf 1 at its opposite side, as shown in Fig. 1.

.The door 10 is provided for the purpose of permitting the corner of the table 7 to swing into the compartment 4 when the hinged casing 6 is swung into its closed position. It will be readily seen that when the casing or compartment 6 is being closed the table 7 will contact with said door 10, which latter will yield to the pressure brought to bear against -it and will open to permit the projecting corner of the table 7 to enter the compartment 4, and when said case or compartment is fully closed said door 10 will be closed by its spring 11.

The table 7 is provided with the guide-runners 12, which are secured to the outer bottom sides of the table at right angles therewith and are adapted to freely slide vertically between their guide-strips 13, which are secured cross-bars 16, which support the inner ends of the pulley-sheaves.

The counterbalance or weight cord 17 is secured at its ends centrally on the cross bottom bars of the runners 12 and are passed over the pulleys 18, secured on said bars 15 and 16 of the frame-piece 14, and on the con trally-looped portion of the cord is suspended the counterbalance-weight 1.) by its equalizing-pulley 20.

The rack 21 is secured to the inner surface of the back of the case 6, to the rear of the table 7, and extends upwardly from the frame 14, through the rear notch formed in the table 7, to the top edge of the said case 6, and is provided with the central rack or notches 22, which may be formed in said bar 2], or a separate rack may be inserted and secured in a groove formed therein. The latch or snapeateh 23 secured to the under side of the table 7 is adapted to engage the rack 22 to maintain the said table in any position vertieally.

To close the case 6 inelosing the writinginaehine 8 and its supporting-table 7, said table 7 is lowered a sufficient distance to permit the top of the writing-mael'iine 8 to pass under the leaf 1. Then the case 6 is swung inwardly on its hinges to inelose said machine. Thu as the case 6 is closed, it is clear that the desk will present the appearance of the ordinary desk and the writingmaehine Will be readily placed in position when required for use.

Having thus fully described the nature and construction of my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to cover by Letters Patent 0f the United States therefor, is-- 1. In a desk for type writing machines, the combination with a desk having an end easing or chamber with its front open, of a case or chamber hinged at one edge of its open side to the front of said desk chamber, a table inclosed in said hinged ease and adapted to be raised or lowered vertically and sustained in any vertical position, suitable depending guides or runners for supporting said table, Ways wherein said guides slide, suitable means for eonnterbalaneing said table, and the means for supporting the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a desk for type writing machines, the combination with a desk having an end eompartment with its front open, of a case or chamber hinged to the front of said end compartment, a table adapted to be moved vertically in said hinged case, depending runners secured to the bottom side edges of said table, guide strips secured vertically on the inner sides of said hinged case, and between which said runners work, a pulley supporting frame resting on the top ends of said strips and secured within said hinged casing, suitable cord pulleys resting on said frame, a counterbalan no weight suspended intermediate between and below said cord pulleys, and a counterbalance eord extending from said weight over said pulleys and connected at its ends to the bottom bars of said guide runners, and means for sustaining said table in position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERMAN 'LAUTER.

Nitnesses:

THOMPSON R. BELL, C. F. I. WAPPENIIAus. 

